Landslide forces evacuation of 2 houses along Delaware

Homeowners in Florence, N.J., are forced to evacuate after landslides in their backyard threaten to topple their homes into the Delaware River.

Homeowners in Florence, N.J., are forced to evacuate after landslides in their backyard threaten to topple their homes into the Delaware River.

Kelly FlynnThe Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

2 homes threatening to topple into Delaware River evacuated

FLORENCE, N.J. - Residents of two houses along the Delaware River were urged to leave, their homes declared unsafe to occupy on Wednesday, after a landslide took away a large part of their backyards.

The picturesque waterfront backyards were steadily eroded over the last two years, apparently destabilized in part by an overflowing storm drain, according to Florence Township administrator Richard Brook. The backyards collapsed on Monday.

“Basically, we're here so that we can give these people some peace of mind today,” Sahol said.

He said the two families were urged not to take any chances by continuing to remain in their Front Street homes. They were allowed to go into their houses to gather up belongings.

“We're devastated; we are totally devastated,” said Lynne O'Dell, one of the residents affected.

MEL EVANS / AP

Lynne O'Dell stands near a safety fence in her neighbors' backyard Wednesday, April 22, 2015, in Florence, N.J. She was forced to evacuate her home after a landslide.

Lynne O'Dell stands near a safety fence in her neighbors' backyard Wednesday, April 22, 2015, in Florence, N.J. She was forced to evacuate her home after a landslide. (MEL EVANS / AP)

She shuttled between her home and her SUV, as she brought out bags of belongings.

Brook said that on Monday the township was alerted to the landslide and found that water was spilling over from a storm drain leading from the front of the houses to the back. The township did the best it could to block up the flow of water into the pipe on Monday, and both the township and Burlington County are investigating the matter to ensure residents' safety, Brook said.

At this time, the ground at the site where the two houses are located is considered unstable, he said. The township does not know why the pipe malfunctioned, but Sahol said he plans on getting someone to check what's happening underneath.

The township is asking Maser Consulting, an engineering firm, to determine the problem.

Sahol said only the two homes are considered unsafe, and houses on either side of the two are considered to be on stable and safe ground.

Al Harris, who has lived in Florence since 2002, said he was shocked about the landslide a few houses from his residence. Harris' property also borders the Delaware, but it is at a farther distance from the steep drop to the river than the two affected houses were.

While Harris said he does not know those neighbors well, he feels sorry for their predicament.

“That's terrible,” Harris said. “I hope they fix the problem, and they're able to come back.”

Brook said the township will have to determine who is responsible for repairs to the riverbank.

“Sooner or later there's going to have to be some action taken to stabilize the bank,” Brook said. “Who's going to do that at this time is unclear.”

O'Dell said she wants the township held accountable.

“We've put our hearts and souls into this home, and we're hoping someone is going to take responsibility, but they're not,” O'Dell said.